Zambia and UK Strengthen Cooperation Amidst Drought Crisis
The British High Commissioner to Zambia, His Excellency Nicholas Woolley, met with the Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson, Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa, MP, to discuss critical issues facing Zambia.
Acknowledging the importance of international cooperation, Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa expressed gratitude for the British government’s assistance in Zambia’s debt restructuring efforts.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to financial responsibility, democratic principles, and human rights, citing the enactment of the Access to Information (ATI) law as a significant step towards transparency and accountability.
Furthermore, Hon. Mweetwa highlighted the government’s proactive measures in response to the ongoing drought, ensuring that assistance received from the UK would be utilized effectively to mitigate its effects on the population, particularly in areas such as electricity, food, and water shortage.
In response, UK High Commissioner Nicholas Woolley commended Zambia’s efforts in addressing the drought crisis and pledged continued support to the Zambian people.
He announced expanded assistance through initiatives such as the Social Cash Transfer Scheme and Emergency Drought Cash Payments, aiming to reach millions of vulnerable individuals affected by the food deficit.
Moreover, the UK reiterated its commitment to assisting Zambia in building resilience against climate change, particularly in the energy and agricultural sectors.
Woolley praised Zambia’s approval of the Comprehensive Agriculture Transformation Support Programme (CATSP) and the implementation of the e-voucher system for the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), emphasizing their importance for sustainable agricultural development.
The discussions underscored the strong partnership between Zambia and the UK, with both parties reaffirming their commitment to addressing the challenges posed by the drought and advancing long-term resilience and development goals.
